Iraq signs urban rail pact with Alstom

THE Iraqi government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Alstom for the development of a light rail line in Baghdad and a two-line metro in Basra.

The MoU was signed during a Franco-Iraqi government meeting, in the presence of Dr Sami Al Araji, head of Iraq’s National Investment Committee, and Mr Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, secretary of state to France’s minister of European and foreign affairs.

The first project envisages the construction of a 20km elevated light rail line in Baghdad linking Al-Mustansirya, AlShab, Al-Wazyria, Alsarafia AlEtafia bridge, Al-Khadumia, AlMuthana airport and Al-Alawi. The contract would include the supply of rolling stock, electromechanical systems, track, and associated civil works.

Two elevated metro lines are planned in Basra, each approximately 30km long with 15 stations, plus a depot for each line. One line would run north-south from Zubair to Shat Alarab while the second line would run east-west from Karma to the desert.

“The signature of this MoU is a first step towards the development of a long-term partnership with Iraq,” says Mr Bernard Peille, Alstom’s managing director for western and central Asia.